Why Fuel Cards Matter for Trucking Profitability
Fuel is the single largest operating expense for any trucking company — typically 25-35% of gross revenue. A fuel card that saves even 10-20 cents per gallon can add up to $4,000-$8,000 per year for an owner operator driving 100,000 miles annually at 6.5 MPG.
Beyond discounts, fuel cards simplify IFTA reporting, provide detailed purchase records, and help control driver spending.
Top Trucking Fuel Cards Compared
Comdata (Now Fleetcor)
The largest trucking fuel card network with over 14,000 diesel locations.
- Discounts: Up to $0.30-$0.50/gallon at partner locations, average $0.15-$0.25/gallon network-wide
- Network: Pilot Flying J, Love's, TA/Petro, and thousands of independent stops
- Best feature: Real-time fund advances (EFS transfer) for drivers who need money on the road
- Fee: $10-$20/month per card or per transaction fees
- Best for: Carriers who need cash advances and nationwide coverage
EFS (Electronic Funds Source)
Strong alternative to Comdata with competitive discounts and flexible funding.
- Discounts: Up to $0.40/gallon at partner locations
- Network: Pilot Flying J, Love's, TA/Petro — similar to Comdata
- Best feature: Highly customizable spending controls per driver
- Fee: Similar to Comdata — transaction fees or monthly fee
- Best for: Fleets wanting granular control over driver spending
WEX (Wright Express)
Originally focused on local fleets but has expanded its trucking network significantly.
- Discounts: Strong at independent truck stops and some chains
- Network: 45,000+ locations including many local independents
- Best feature: Widest overall network including local stations that Comdata/EFS miss
- Fee: Monthly fee plus per-transaction fees
- Best for: Regional carriers who fuel at local/independent stops
Pilot Flying J Fleet Card
Best if you fuel primarily at Pilot or Flying J locations.
- Discounts: Significant discounts at Pilot/FJ locations (largest network of travel centers)
- Network: 800+ Pilot Flying J locations — limited outside their own network
- Best feature: MyRewards points program, shower credits, reserved parking
- Fee: No monthly fee — transaction-based
- Best for: Drivers who prefer Pilot/FJ locations and want lifestyle perks
Fuel Card Comparison Table
| Card | Avg Discount | Network Size | Cash Advances | IFTA Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comdata | $0.15-$0.25/gal | 14,000+ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| EFS | $0.15-$0.25/gal | 13,000+ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| WEX | $0.10-$0.20/gal | 45,000+ | ❌ Limited | ✅ Yes |
| Pilot FJ | $0.10-$0.30/gal | 800 Pilot/FJ | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Features to Look For
- IFTA reporting — automatic fuel purchase reports by state save hours at tax time
- Spending controls — limit purchases to fuel only, set daily limits, restrict to certain locations
- Cash advances — drivers sometimes need cash on the road for lumpers or unexpected expenses
- Mobile app — find discounted fuel stops along the route in real time
- Integration with TMS — automatic import of fuel purchases into your trucking software
How TruxlyOS Works With Fuel Cards
TruxlyOS imports fuel purchase data directly from Comdata, EFS, and WEX. Purchases are automatically categorized by date, location, state, and gallons — feeding directly into your IFTA report with zero manual entry. Fuel costs are also tracked against each load for accurate profit-per-load reporting.
